Chief Financial Officer

Rochester City School District•Rochester, NY

4d•$175,000 - $196,000

About The Position

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provides leadership, direction, and oversight of all financial operations within the Rochester City School District. The CFO administers the district’s business affairs to support the best possible educational services with available financial resources and maintains a timely, accurate financial management system. The role advises the Superintendent and Board of Education on budgetary and financial matters and supports effective resource allocation for student success. The CFO oversees budget planning, financial reporting, grants management, payroll, procurement, accounting, revenue recognition, cash flow, debt and investment activities, insurance management, and other business functions. The position ensures compliance with applicable state and federal requirements, recognized accounting and financial principles, government auditing standards, and district policies. It also promotes equity, sustainability, transparency, and long-term financial stability in budgeting and resource allocation. The CFO leads the Finance Business Unit and develops, evaluates, and supports financial staff. The role works collaboratively with the Superintendent, Executive Cabinet, Board, City of Rochester, Legal Counsel, departments, auditors, government officials, and community stakeholders to support district priorities and sound financial stewardship.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
Graduate or undergraduate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or Public Administration, or a related field.
Certification as a New York State School District Business Leader (SDBL) or New York State Business Administrator (SBA).
At least eight years of public-sector management experience, including accounting and budget coordination related to the financial or business operations of a school district, or comparable experience with annual operating budgets exceeding $100 million.
At least three years of experience in a supervisory or administrative role.
Experience in budget preparation and monitoring, including knowledge of federal and state grant guidelines and reporting requirements.
Comprehensive knowledge of budget procedures, accounting methods, expenditure monitoring, financial problem-solving, and debt and investment management.
Thorough knowledge of business administration procedures and cost-analysis principles; general knowledge of payroll operations, purchasing, and inventory practices.
Ability to plan, coordinate, and supervise others; identify, anticipate, and prioritize financial needs and problems; interpret financial reports; and consolidate narrative and tabular information into clear fiscal plans.
Ability to learn applicable laws, regulations, and policies and to explain and defend budgets verbally.
Effective oral and written communication skills and ability to work effectively with school and community stakeholders and the Superintendent.
Ability to handle human and public-relations matters; strong judgment, thoroughness, dependability, leadership, organization, and personnel-supervision skills.
High degree of ethics and professionalism, active listening skills, and the physical and emotional capacity to perform duties in a fast-paced, high-intensity environment.

Nice To Haves

CPA certification.

Responsibilities

Maintain open communication with the Superintendent and assist with tasks supporting the District’s mission.
Train and develop financial unit staff in sound financial practices.
Serve as the district’s financial liaison with external auditors and federal, state, and local government officials, including the New York State Education Department.
Work with the Superintendent and Executive Cabinet to implement the RCSD Strategic Plan and foster professional relationships at city, state, and national levels.
Ensure district procurements have adequate controls and documentation and comply with government auditing standards.
Produce and manage the District’s annual budget in support of academic initiatives; interpret relevant guidance, distribute governmental requirements, and monitor compliance.
Safeguard district financial assets through an effective internal-control framework.
Represent the Superintendent at District Finance Committee meetings.
Monitor banking activities and manage cash flow to meet organizational needs.
Maintain an accounting system consistent with generally accepted accounting principles and governmental accounting standards.
Establish, implement, and monitor internal budgetary and accounting procedures and records that support transparency, comply with District, State, and Federal requirements, and incorporate encumbrance accounting.
Oversee revenue-generating functions and activities to maximize revenue.
Supervise grant expenditure accounting and ensure compliance with funding-agency requirements and reporting obligations.
Authorize fund transfers for unanticipated expenditures in accordance with Board policies and legal restrictions.
Develop and supervise property classification and inventory systems for fixed assets and supplies.
Supervise and transmit periodic financial reports to appropriate federal and state authorities.
Prepare special reports on district operations at the request of the Board, Superintendent, or state and federal agencies.
Supervise reliable monthly financial reporting and communicate relevant information to the Superintendent or Board.
Direct studies of financial transactions and prepare cost-analysis reports for the Superintendent or Board.
Prepare long- and short-term budgets and financial plans that consider educational needs, population projections, development plans, staffing needs, and revenue projections.
Supervise preparation and review of monthly cash-flow statements to assess cash available for investment or borrowing.
Coordinate with the City of Rochester on temporary borrowing, competitive bidding, investment instruments, interest-rate quotations, loan payment calendars, and long-term borrowing plans, including capital notes and serial bonds.
Ensure budgeting and resource-allocation processes align with district equity goals and support fair resource distribution and culturally responsive practices.
Oversee fiscal, statistical, and business-management information supporting state and federal grant applications.
Evaluate the effects of actual or potential changes in resources or appropriations and recommend budget additions or reductions to the Superintendent.
Communicate budget allocations to department heads, monitor spending against limits and constraints, and identify and recommend corrective actions to the Superintendent.
Prepare legal notices for publication when the adopted budget changes from the proposed budget.
Coordinate with Legal Counsel on the district risk-management program, evaluate exposures, and make recommendations to the Board.
Report material liability and property losses in writing to the carrier and Board; obtain professional advice on premium quotations when needed.
Coordinate periodic insurance-coverage audits against inventories, appraisals, liabilities, and replacement costs.
Work with Legal Counsel and the Benefits Department to maintain a calendar for timely insurance review, renewal, revision, or cancellation.
Manage and oversee the Finance Business Unit, including Accounting, Accounts Payable, Budget, Grants Management, Procurement, Payroll, and Revenue Recognition.
Direct, evaluate, and support the professional development of financial unit personnel; maintain alignment with performance standards and promote succession planning.
Perform other duties as defined by the Superintendent.